The question of when the bicycle was invented doesn’t have a simple answer. While many credit Karl von Drais, a German baron, as the father of the bicycle, the evolution of this two-wheeled marvel was a gradual process involving numerous inventors and innovations throughout the 19th century. Drais made a significant stride in 1817 with his creation of a steerable, two-wheeled device.
Known by various names like “velocipede,” “hobby-horse,” “draisine,” and “running machine,” Drais’s invention marked a pivotal early stage. Although his velocipede’s popularity was short-lived, it laid the groundwork for future advancements across Europe. Poet John Keats famously dismissed it, but improvements continued.
Alt text: Illustration comparing a Hobby Horse bicycle from 1818, propelled by foot, with a Boneshaker bicycle from 1863 featuring pedals.
The Rise of the “Boneshaker” Bicycles in the 1860s
The 1860s witnessed further development, particularly in France. French inventors including Pierre Lallement, Pierre Michaux, and Ernest Michaux introduced prototypes that incorporated pedals attached to the front wheel. These machines were the first to be officially termed “bicycles.” However, they earned the nickname “boneshakers” due to their notoriously uncomfortable ride quality, a consequence of their primitive construction and solid tires.
The Penny-Farthing Era: Stability and Speed in the 1870s and 1880s
Seeking enhanced stability, inventors like Eugène Meyer and James Starley innovated with designs featuring an oversized front wheel. These became known as “penny-farthings” or “ordinaries.” Dominating the 1870s and 1880s, these peculiar-looking bicycles became fashionable and fostered the emergence of bicycle clubs and competitive racing. The era saw Thomas Stevens’s celebrated global journey on a high-wheeler in 1884.
The Safety Bicycle: A Design for Everyone in 1885
Despite the penny-farthing’s role in popularizing cycling, its considerable saddle height, around four feet, posed a significant safety risk for most riders. A breakthrough arrived in 1885 when John Kemp Starley, nephew of James Starley, perfected the “safety bicycle.” This design incorporated equally sized wheels and a chain drive, making it significantly safer and more accessible. Subsequent advancements in brakes and tires quickly followed, establishing a foundational blueprint for the modern bicycle.
Alt text: Image of a vintage Rover safety bicycle, highlighting its design as the precursor to the modern bicycle with equal-sized wheels and chain drive.
The Bicycle Craze of the 1890s
The safety and practicality of the new bicycle design ignited widespread enthusiasm. By the 1890s, both Europe and the United States experienced a massive bike craze. As a New York Times article enthusiastically reported in 1896, “the bicycle promises a splendid extension of personal power and freedom, scarcely inferior to what wings would give,” reflecting the transformative impact of the bicycle on personal mobility and societal life.
In conclusion, pinpointing the exact date of bicycle invention is complex. While Karl von Drais’s 1817 velocipede was a crucial starting point, the bicycle as we recognize it today is the result of continuous development throughout the 19th century, shaped by the ingenuity of numerous inventors who progressively refined its design, safety, and accessibility.
